Description

The monument is a chambered cairn dating to the Neolithic period, probably between 3500 and 2500 BC. It appears to be a Maes Howe type chambered cairn. It survives as a mainly turf-covered mound, measuring approximately 21m N-S by 17m E-W, and stands up to 1m high. Irregular hollows over the surface suggest the cairn has been quarried for stone in the past. Parts of the structure are exposed in places. Towards the N end of the mound a 1.4m length of wall-face is visible running N-S and standing three to four courses high. Adjacent on the W side, the entry to a side cell reveals the upper walls of a small corbelled cell, 1.4m by 0.9m, and a short stretch, 1.1m by 0.3m wide, of the lintelled passage leading to the cell. The monument occupies a prominent position on the highest point of a natural rocky ridge which dominates the surrounding flat coastal plain on the southern tip of Egilsay, at 15m OD. The monument was originally scheduled in 1974, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The scheduled area is roughly oval and is centred on the centre of the monument. The scheduling includes the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it has inherent potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the past, particularly the dating, design and construction of burial monuments and the nature of belief systems and burial practices during the Neolithic period. In Orkney chambered cairns are often focal points and an important component of the wider prehistoric landscape. Ritual and funerary monuments such as this can enhance our understanding of Neolithic society, organisation, economy, religion and demography. This monument is particularly valuable as the only known Neolithic monument in Egilsay. Discovered only in 1972, it has not been investigated in the past and, despite some stone quarrying, retains much of its structural form. There is good potential for the survival of archaeological deposits within the central chamber and side cells. Its orientation and location are also likely to be significant as chambered cairns are usually positioned with reference to astronomical phenomena. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our ability to appreciate and understand the meaning and importance of death and burial in prehistoric times and the placing of such monuments within the landscape.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the site as HY42NE 4.

References

Davidson, J L and Henshall, A S 1989, The chambered cairns of Orkney: an inventory of the structures and their contents, Edinburgh, 180-1.

Hedges, J W 1983, Isbister: a chambered tomb in Orkney, BAR British Series 115.

Henshall, A S 1963a, The chambered tombs of Scotland, vol.1, Edinburgh.

RCAHMS 1946, The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Twelfth report with an inventory of the ancient monuments of Orkney and Shetland, 3v Edinburgh.

Ritchie, A 1987, 'Holm of Papa Westray: an insight into the Neolithic use of chambered tombs', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 116.

Ritchie, A 1996, Orkney, 'Exploring Scotland's Heritage' series, ed. by Anna Ritchie, Edinburgh.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland